Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary: After the last rhino was murdered by poachers in Murchison Falls National Park in 1983, the Ziwa rhino sanctuary was built in 2005 to ensure the long-term survival of white rhinos in Uganda. Ziwa is a private, non-profit conservation initiative in Uganda for endangered species. It proudly houses a rare animal species known as white rhinos, and it is the only area in Uganda where rhinos can be found after being depleted from Murchison Falls National Park and Kidepo National Park during the great conflict in the 1970s and extensive poaching in the 1990s.
Brief History
The organization After the extinction of all white rhinos in Uganda as a result of the 1970s warfare in northern Uganda, which led in widespread kills of wild animals in the national parks of Kidepo and Murchison Falls, the sanctuary prospered. Poachers and hunting for ivory of rhinos in Uganda has accelerated the animal’s extinction. In 2005, the Ziwa rhino sanctuary was established, paving the path for the restoration of white rhinos into Uganda. The rhino fund Uganda, which also brought rhinos back to Uganda, began the rhino sanctuary project.
The rhino sanctuary began with six (6) rhinoceros, rose to 19 animals in 2015, and now has 35 rhinos available to be monitored by visitors to the rhino sanctuary. To be clear, the white rhino conservation project at Ziwa rhino sanctuary is only achievable because the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Ziwa ranchers collaborate with the Rhino Fund of Uganda to carry out the plans.
The rhino sanctuary also includes other species that you will love viewing throughout your visit. The sanctuary features over 40 animal species, including antelopes, hippos, crocodiles, and monkeys, to name a few. It also has a large variety of bird species, making it a popular destination for birders. It is true that you may travel the entire area on foot without worrying about your safety. For protection, the rhino sanctuary has over 65 qualified game rangers who will lead you through your activities.
Activities to do at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
When you visit Ziwa in Nakasongola, you will have enough to do; perhaps it can be your excursion or en-route tour before your safari to Murchison Falls National Park.
Rhino Trekking
Rhino tracking is the main activity at the rhino sanctuary; in fact, the rhinos are the refuge’s face. During rhino tracking at Ziwa rhino sanctuary, you get the opportunity to view the endangered rhinos on foot and observe them from a safe distance of around 6 meters. You will be able to photograph the rhinos while they dine on the grass and learn a lot about their behaviors.
Birding
Technically, the big five wildlife safari in Uganda is obtained by combining the rhino trek in Ziwa rhino sanctuary with the Murchison Falls National Park safari. Birding is another another pastime that visitors to the refuge enjoy. The sanctuary is home to around 350 bird species. Birding may be done on a guided nature walk or a boat excursion as a half or full day activity in the sanctuary. You may see a variety of unique bird species when birding, including the blue spotted dove, the shoebill stork (Uganda’s most sought-after bird), the abdim’s stork, and the African black crake, among others.
Nature Walks
You will also enjoy nature hikes in the sanctuary and hiking around the region as you see a variety of animals such as oribi, reed bucks, duikers, bush bucks, hartebeests, monkeys, insects such as butterflies, and reptiles such as monitor lizards as the sun rises.
It should be noted that a shoebill stork excursion can occasionally be done independently in a single day. It is occasionally coupled with kayaking to form a day’s tour package at the Ziwa rhino reserve.
The Best Way to Get to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
The Ziwa rhino sanctuary is located in the nakasongola area, next to Nakitoma village, in the north-eastern part of Kampala. The ziwa rhino sanctuary is not a vast region; it is located on a small piece of land roughly 70 square kilometers north east of Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. It is only a three-hour trip from Kampala to the sanctuary through the gulu highway, which is really half way to Murchison Falls National Park.
Accommodation in Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
When you visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, you will have nothing to worry about because it features a restaurant where you can enjoy your meals. The sanctuary also includes a lodging option; Amuka Lodge features reasonably priced rooms with high-quality amenities, as well as a calm swimming pool. Alternatively, you may spend the night camping, with the professional and armed guides staying up all night to ensure your safety.
The rhino sanctuary trip may provide you with a “big five” game drive, with rhinos representing the five major game of Africa. Then there’s the endangered shoebill stork, which you don’t want to miss seeing before it becomes extinct.
